Shadowlord - Shadowlord Empire mCD Review

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2004-01-27 : Corpse : Link
Album: Shadowlord Empire
Band: Shadowlord
Tracks: 4
Time: 20:10
Label: State off Art Productions
Rating: 8/10

Recentie Rock-e-Zine 2000

The first thing that catches my attention before I even put the CD in my player was the nice decoration on the CD itself, there are small evil looking fishes (the sign of State off Art productions) on it. The CD was recorded in two days in Hilversum and was mixed in studio "Oud Bussum" in Naarden and this also took two days. The lay out looks very professional as does the artwork of "Shadowlord Empire". But enough about that, lets talk music...

The four track disc starts of with "Novio Magum", a song about the history of Nijmegen. "Novio Magum" starts with a drum and keyboard intro which build up the atmosphere perfectly before the storm enters and Shadowlord is loose. A firm dosis of Black Metal is what you can expect from these guys. But that's not all, their style is also very melodic and a bit of Dimmu Borgir can also be detected. The vocals on the first song are mostly from guitarist/ vocalist Lesley filled up with low grunts from Corpse. I especially like the mid section of the track, but I do think that the voice you hear in the background should have been brought a bit more to the front, but that's my opinion. The second track, which carries the title "Burn The Witches", a title that says it all, starts of with a good firm piece of drumming again given the right atmosphere with the help of keyboard player Grev Adar Skygge and both of the axemen. "Resurrection Of The Demon Warrior" has some typical Black Metal lyrics, which doesn't necesserally mean that the song is a real Black Metal track, nope, again the track is filled with melodic parts. The song has a catchy edge, especially one part (you know what I mean if you listen to the song). Damn, we've already reached the last song on the album entitled "Chasing Destiny". The song isn't bad but can't compare to the other three songs on the disc. Though this song has one of the fastest guitar riffs on the album there is still plenty of space for Grev's Keys and Daniëls drumwork. A pitty that we can't really hear Arno (Bass) who had only joined the band in January of this year. This gave him only a month time to learn the four tracks recorded on this album; well done Arno.

The vocal cooperation of Corpse and Lesley sound perfect, Corpse throws in his low grunts while Lesley attacks the listeners with his black metal screams. I believe that Shadowlord is a band to reckon with in the future and I can't wait to get my hands on their full length album which will surely come out in the near future, right guys?

2004-01-27 : Corpse : Link
Review Ancient Ceremonies Robert

SHADOWLORD "Shadowlord Empire" (in issue 7)
State Off Art Productions
I've seen the name Shadowlord around so I'm assuming that they're beginning to make a mark for themselves. Hardly surprising, for though they're not as technically gifted as Dissection, for example, they similarly base their music on fast Death/Black riffs, some of which are touched up with the addition of keyboards passages. Similarly they too know when to add in slow instrumentals as a melancholic precursor to the violence that inevitably follows. Many bands have tried to follow this path and most have fallen by the wayside. Shadowlord do come over as having written some fairly catchy tunes, yet still seem to try and add too much in. Hence they try out hoarse vocals, throw in a few thrashier/punkier riffs and deviate from the Death/Black that they manage well. For that element it's a good release, more focusing needed in future.
Robert (7 / 10)


2004-01-27 : corpse : Link
Review Brutallica magazine Tsvetan Rachev

SHADOWLORD
"Shadowlord Empire" CD
Black Label Management/State Off Art Prod.
SHADOWLORD' s debut MCD "Shadowlord Empire" was a pleasant surprise for me.
The band exists since 1995 and its present line-up features Richel Miseroy -
guitars, Daniel DeVres - drums, Lesley De Santy - guitars, vocals
(ex-SANGUINARY), Arno Rensink - bass (ex-VEILS OF DAWN), Grev Adar Skyge -
keyboards and Corpse - vocals (ex-DIABOLIC VOMIT). SHADOWLORD offers us 4
songs of impressive Black Metal with Death Metal and classical influences.
The keyboards create majestic atmosphere, which suits very well to the
aggressive passages. The production is on a good level - the material is
recorded at a studio in Hilversum with the help of Michael Stoop
(CREMATION). This MCD is a good start for SHADOWLORD and I'm sure we will
hear more from them in the future.
7,0
2004-01-27 : Corpse : Link
SHADOWLORD is an UG band from Nederland, that gathered in 95, then played several gigs from 97 with a different formation.
They completed their line up between 1999 and 2000, and composed of 6 members Shadowlord recorded their first Demo 'Shadowlord Empire' in May 2000.
This official Demo contains 4 track of heavy Black/Death, enhanced by synth melodies, blast beats and heavier tones.
Their style oscillate between a fast and melodic Black Metal with Death Metal vocals, like in their opus 'Novio Magum', to a heavier and more aggressive style like in their last 'Chasing Destiny'.
The clear and imposing guitar riffs seem sometimes to surround the compositions and literally dominate the global sound of the songs, that success however to develop interesting parts along the melodic and more progressive breaks.
The relative massive sound accentuates this heavy/black atmospheres that seems to plunge us in older times and eras, and even remind a faster and more anguish power metal.
Their longer 'Resurrection of the Demon Warrior' is marked with darker tones, and a relative careful orchestration and instrumental part.
The layout is correct and shows the helmet of a middle age's warrior; you'll get full booklet with all the lyrics and infos.
This release is all in all of a pleasant heavy/black, and the band has just released a new album entitled 'Scourge of Heaven', more on their official site at: http://www.shadowlord.nl or Black Label Management at blacklabelmanagement@hotmail.com .